NPR News Now - NPR News: 12-15-2025 10AM EST

Episode Date: December 15, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kourva Coleman. Israel is warning its citizens around the world to avoid unsecured Hanukkah parties. This follows yesterday's deadly shooting in Australia. Fifteen people were killed and dozens wounded out of Hanukkah gathering in Sydney. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv. Israel's National Security Council is warning of copycat attacks and is calling on Israelis globally not to attend Jewish gatherings without security guards present. Israel's Mossad intelligence agency is helping investigate the Australia attack.

That's according to a person briefed on the matter who spoke to NPR on condition of anonymity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday blamed Australia's prime minister. Your government did nothing to stop the spread of anti-Semitism in Australia, and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today. The Australian Prime Minister cut diplomatic ties with Iran this summer, accusing it of organizing two, anti-Semitic attacks in Australia last year. Daniel Estrin NPR News, Tel Aviv. Police in Providence, Rhode Island, are looking for

the suspect from Saturday's deadly shooting at Brown University. Two people were killed and nine others wounded in the attack. Brown University's senior Joseph Uduru was leading a study session on economics when he says a gunman, wearing a mask, came into their lecture hall.

Right after he mumbled whatever he said, that he just started shooting right away, there was no hesitation. We were just praying, calling our parents. There was nothing else to be done other than to pray. At least two students who witnessed the Brown shooting but were not physically injured say they've been close to or survived other school shootings. Brown student Zoe Weissman was in her middle school

when a gunman killed 17 people next door in the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida. And Brown student Mia Tretta survived a school attack after being shot in the abdomen when she was studying in California. Stocks opened lower this morning as investors wait for some overdue economic data. NPR Scott Horsley reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat in early trading. Timely reports on inflation and the job market were disrupted this fall by the six-week government shutdown. But some of that information will come dribbling out this week. The Labor Department reports tomorrow on job gains for October and November.

We'll also get a look at November's inflation rate on Thursday. Some of the missing data will not be made up, though. Furloughed federal workers were unable to conduct price checks or tally the unemployment rate for October. So for the first time, there will be gaps in those long-running series. The maker of Rumba, the self-driving vacuum cleaner, is filing for bankruptcy. The company called I-Robot will be sucked up by its main contract manufacturer. Scott Horsley, MPR News, Washington. On Wall Street, the Dow was now down about 27 points.

The NASDAQ is down more than 60 points. You're listening to NPR. There's an outpouring of sorrow for director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle Singer-Riner. News reports cite a Reiner family statement that says the couple are dead. Los Angeles police are investigating this case as a potential homicide. The daughter of Hong Kong publisher and activist Jimmy Lai says she was not surprised when a national security court found him guilty today. She's still hoping her father will be released soon.

and Pierce Emily Fang reports. Claire Lai says her father is an ailing 78-year-old, and he's seen a precipitous decline in health over the last years of his five-year imprisonment so far. He has heart issues, he has skin problems, he has infections, back issues, waste problems. The lead judge in his case said Lai harbored, quote, resentment and hatred towards China, which his daughter denies.

When you're guided by the Holy Spirit, despite what the judgment says, there is no room for hate and there is no, no hate in my father's heart. Coming from a family of devout Catholics, the younger lie says she has faith. Her father's case can be dealt with by political negotiation. Sentencing is expected from mid-January

and lie faces up to life in prison. Emily Fang and Peer News. Officials with airline JetBlue have told the U.S. government of a near collision last Friday. A JetBlue pilot says he was taking off from the Caribbean island of Kursau when he dove his passenger plane to avoid colliding with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker jet.

The Jet Blue Pilot says the U.S. Air Force pilot flew into the path of the passenger jet. This comes as the U.S. military beefs up its presence near Venezuela. It's NPR.